Senator the Honourable Hassel Bacchus, Minister of Digital Transformation, led a team of Officials from his Ministry on a strategic visit to India from 6th to 11th August 2023. The purpose was to advance bilateral co-operation in the areas of Digital Transformation and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
According to a Media Release today (Tuesday 29th August 2023) from the Ministry of Digital Transformation (MDT), through a series of engagements with public and private institutions, knowledge and experiences were shared in the areas of Digital Identity, Digital Payments, Digital Service Transformation, Digital Public Infrastructure, and Digital Public Goods. MoU Signed The Ministry said the long-term goal of this exchange is to strengthen Trinidad and Tobago's position in the global e-governance arena. This resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two (2) countries on Friday 11th August 2023. The MoU will facilitate bilateral co-operation and the exchange of experiences and digital technology-based solutions between the two (2) countries. The MoU was signed by Shri Sushil Pal, Joint Secretary on behalf of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and His Excellency Dr. Roger Gopaul, Trinidad and Tobago's High Commissioner to India. A significant outcome is that it allows for the sharing of India Stack — India's collection of public solutions and services that facilitate digital identity, data, and payment services on a massive scale. In responding to this momentous occasion, Minister Bacchus highlighted this collaborative endeavour, saying, “Our countries' shared vision of harnessing the power of technology to uplift citizens will create a brighter future in which they are active participants in and contributors to the digital society and economy.” Similarly, highlighting the significance of the India Stack offerings, Mos Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who believes in the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam (the world is one family), has always encouraged the offering of India Stack to countries across the globe, especially to those that have been left behind in their digitalization efforts. With the help of India Stack, these countries can climb up the digitalization ladder rapidly and transform their economies and governance.” He added, “It shall create a robust ecosystem of startups, developers and system integrators working around it on next-gen innovation.” Benefits to T&T The MoU will provide technical co-operation in the areas of digital transformation through the exchange of leading practices, knowledge transfer and sharing, capacity building, and the adoption of technology solutions The partnership transcends beyond mere adoption of technology, into a transferal of expertise, experience, and lessons learned as Trinidad and Tobago forges towards a digital future. The MDT emphasizes its commitment to propelling Trinidad and Tobago into a technologically advanced era that will benefit citizens, businesses, and the economy as a whole. India - A Leader in Digital Government Within the last decade, India has secured its position as an international leader in the areas of Digital Identity, Digital Payments, Digital Service Transformation, Digital Public Infrastructure, and Digital Public Goods. Consequently, having noted India's significant accomplishments, the MDT has identified the Government of India as a key partner for advancing its development objectives. Moreover, the Government of India has signaled a willingness to share its solutions and know-how with the Global South. The country has also signed similar MoUs with several developing countries across the world.
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Bmobile has announced the introduction of eSIM support across its prepaid and postpaid packages. In a News Release today (Tuesday 25th July 2023), Bmobile said this service enables users with eSIM-enabled iOS and Android devices to seamlessly connect to its network and enjoy the benefits and enhanced flexibility offered by eSIM technology.
eSIM, also known as embedded SIM, represents a digital version of the traditional physical SIM card, serving as a virtual identifier that establishes a connection to the mobile network. Offering the same functionality as physical SIM cards, eSIMs eliminate the need for customers to physically change SIMs when switching or connecting to Bmobile’s network. By being embedded in devices and able to be programmed remotely, eSIMs revolutionize the way customers manage their phone and service plans, providing unparalleled convenience. According to Bmobile, “With the introduction of eSIM support, new and existing customers can now purchase and use the U.S. version of the iPhone 14 and other eSIM-enabled devices on Bmobile's network. This expansion of compatible devices further enhances the choices available to customers.” Kashif Greaves, TSTT Senior Manager, Marketing and Promotions, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted to officially support eSIM technology, responding to the evolving needs of our customers. We have listened to their inquiries and are committed to providing the best possible solutions. Over the past few months, significant time and resources were spent rigorously testing the platform to ensure a seamless user experience for all customers and we truly appreciate that they've been patient while we bring this technology to market. eSIM offers unparalleled convenience, enabling users to easily manage their mobile connections.” “eSIMs are also safer as the SIM cannot be accessed from the outside and facilitates seamless transfer of customer data to a new device,” Greaves added. Bmobile notes that this next generation of SIM card technology “also helps drive the eradication of the need for a physical card entirely, which helps in the reduction of environmental waste.” Setup Is Easy Depending on the device, the exact steps may vary but the basic procedure remains the same. Customers can visit one of Bmobile's select locations to purchase an eSIM. A customer service representative will provide a QR code for eSIM download and guide customers through the simple activation process in their phone's mobile or network settings. While all consumer prepaid and postpaid mobile subscriptions will now support eSIMs, physical SIM cards will remain available for devices equipped with a physical SIM card slot. Bmobile said it is “excited to introduce eSIM support, unlocking new possibilities for seamless connectivity and offering customers greater control over their mobile experience.” Locations
For more information on eSIMs, visit Bmobile's website at www.bmobile.co.tt.
Popular messaging service WhatsApp is reportedly down in many parts of the world as at 4:30 PM this afternoon (Wednesday 19th July 2023), including Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Canada, Germany, Brazil and many more.
According to Downdetector, there were 22,872 reports of issues with WhatsApp by 4:18 PM.
Neither WhatsApp nor parent company, Meta, have yet issued a statement about the cause or when the issue will be rectified.
More on this as it becomes available. This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. UPDATE: Zuckerberg said as of Thursday morning (6th July 2023), Threads surpassed 30 million sign ups. “Wow, 30 million sign ups as of this morning. Feels like the beginning of something special, but we've got a lot of work ahead to build out the app.” Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, launched its Twitter rival on Wednesday (5th July 2023) — a new social media app called ‘Threads.’ According to Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, more than 10 million users signed up within the first seven (7) hours of its launch. Meta had singer Shakira and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay lined up for the launch of Threads. Threads is branded as “an Instagram app” on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and is smartly leveraging the power of more than 2 billion existing Instagram accounts. Usernames, profile pictures, and existing connections are brought over from Instagram when users create their Threads account. According to the app’s description: “Say more with Threads — Instagram's text-based conversation app. Threads is where communities come together to discuss everything from the topics you care about today to what'll be trending tomorrow. Whatever it is you're interested in, you can follow and connect directly with your favorite creators and others who love the same things — or build a loyal following of your own to share your ideas, opinions and creativity with the world.” The new app is well on track to overtake alternative Twitter-rival ‘Mastodon,’ which claimed more than 13 million users as of Thursday, having been created in 2016. Twitter, however, has more than 200 million daily users.
Brands and celebrities, who were already on Instagram, are flocking to Threads, which in turn will likely bring in advertisers to the app in the future. Companies such as Netflix and American Airlines Group were posting on the app on Thursday, suggesting corporate brands are eager to get in early on the launch of the newest social network, although there is currently no advertising on Threads. Will you be joining or using Threads? Let us know in the comments below. [Source: Barron’s] The High Court ruled on Wednesday (15th March 2023) that the Audit Report into the grant of firearms users’ licences “be handed straight over to the Commissioner of Police and to the Police Service Commission” for further investigation. Former Police Commissioner Gary Griffith had challenged the National Security Council’s decision to commission the report, which included a period when he was Commissioner. Mr. Griffith had also alleged that his right to natural justice was breached in the preparation of the report. However, both allegations were rejected by the High Court on Wednesday. Further, the Court ruled that the National Security Council “was quite entitled under section 75 of the Constitution to take the steps” that it did. In rejecting Mr. Griffith’s claim of breach of natural justice, the Court said Mr. Griffith’s assertion of any right to be heard is premature. The Court also rejected an allegation that Prime Minister Keith Rowley had acted in bad faith in relation to the Audit Report. Following Wednesday’s ruling by the High Court, the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs issued a Media Release stating, “The Attorney General wishes to advise that the High Court today delivered judgment in High Court action CV 2022-03915: Between Gary Griffith v The National Security Council and Others. A most significant feature of the High Cout's ruling was its direction that the Audit Report into the grant of firearms users’ licences during a period that included Mr. Griffith's term as Commissioner of Police “be handed straight over to the Commissioner of Police and to the Police Service Commission” for futher investigation. The Attorney General’s Office added, “By his claim, Mr. Griffith challenged as unconstitutional, the decision of the National Security Council (as a sub-committee of the Cabinet) to commission this Audit Report into the grant of firearms users’ licences. Mr. Griffith also alleged that his right to natural justice was breached by the audit committee in the preparation of its report. Both allegations were roundly rejected today by the High Court. Specifically, the Court ruled that the National Security Council ‘was quite entitled under section 75 of the Constitution to take the steps that it did.’ Further, the Court ruled that the Audit Committee did not breach Mr. Griffith's natural justice rights in any way, because ‘[Mr. Griffith's] assertion of any right to be heard is premature.' Additionally, in responding to an enquiry by Mr. Griffith's Attorneys in Cout today, and in explaining its ruling on an allegation made by Mr. Griffith that the Honorable Prime Minister had acted in bad faith in relation to the Audit Report, the High Court stated in open Court today, to all parties, that that allegation had also been rejected.” The Media Release from The Attorney General’s Office concluded by saying, “The direction of the High Court today to the Commissioner of Police and to the Police Service Commission is a definitive judicial direction that the law must now therefore be allowed to take its course.” [Source: TTT Live Online]
The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago issued provisional registrations on Wednesday (1st February 2023) to two (2) additional companies as electronic money (e-money) issuers: the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) Limited and PESH Money Limited (PESH).
In a Media Release on Wednesday, the Central Bank said the provisional registrations, which cover an initial 6-month period, authorizes TSTT and PESH to issue e-money in Trinidad and Tobago from 1st March 2023. Under the terms of the registrations, both companies will be allowed to enlist new customers in a controlled environment monitored by the Central Bank. E-money can be broadly defined as an electronic store of monetary value on a technological device (including mobile phones) that may be widely used for making payments to entities other than the e-money issuer. E-money can be used for payment transactions with or without bank accounts. TSTT, a locally incorporated company since 1968, is jointly owned by National Enterprises Limited, which in turn is majority-owned by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and Cable & Wireless (West Indies) Limited. TSTT's core business is as a mobile network operator and provider of telecommunications solutions to residential and commercial markets in Trinidad and Tobago. TSTT aims to provide e-wallet services to allow peer-to-peer transfers and payments to merchants in Trinidad and Tobago. PESH is a privately-owned, local company, incorporated since 2017. The company aims to provide customers with e-wallets to facilitate the storage of e-money and allow peer-to-peer transfers from mobile wallets to mobile phone users in Trinidad and Tobago. In a related development, the Central Bank extended the provisional registration of another company, PayWise Limited, for a further 6-month period starting from 1st March 2023. PayWise was granted provisional registration on 1st September 2022, for an initial period of six (6) months. For further information, please see the E-Money Issuer Order (2020) which can be accessed, along with other background material, via the Central Bank's website at: https://www.central-bank.org.tt/fintech. Apple released iOS 16 to the public today (Monday 12th September 2022) for iPhone 8 and later. iOS 16 brings the biggest update ever to the Lock Screen, the ability to edit and collaborate in Messages, new tools in Mail, and more ways to interact with photos and video with Live Text and Visual Look Up. Below are all the major new features in iOS 16. A More Personal, Beautiful, and Helpful Lock Screen The Lock Screen gets reimagined, offering deeper personalization. Now users can add a depth effect to their Lock Screen photo, artfully displaying the photo subject in front of the time, and they can even customize the font and type style. New widgets on the Lock Screen make it easy to get helpful information at a glance like upcoming calendar events, battery levels, alarms, time zones, Activity ring progress, and more. The new Lock Screen gallery features a range of options. Users can choose an intelligently suggested photo from their personal library that will look great on the Lock Screen, or a dynamic set of photos that shuffle throughout the day. Apple collections include iconic imagery from Apple; Pride and Unity wallpapers; a Weather wallpaper to see live weather conditions as they change throughout the day; and an Astronomy wallpaper for views of the Earth, moon, and solar system. Users can also create unique designs with their favorite emoji and color combinations, and with multiple Lock Screens, users can switch between their favorites with just a swipe. Redesigned notifications now roll in from the bottom to offer a clear view of the Lock Screen, and users can choose to view notifications in an expanded list, stacked, or as a count view. Stay in the Moment With Focus With iOS 16, Focus is easier to set up and gets even more powerful by connecting to the Lock Screen, giving users a way to simply swipe to a designated Lock Screen to activate the corresponding Focus. With Focus filters, apps like Calendar, Mail, Messages, and Safari can display only the content that is relevant to a user’s Focus, helping them to find better balance. New Ways to Interact in Messages Updates to Messages make it possible to edit, undo send, and mark conversations as unread, making it even easier to stay connected. With iOS 16, users can now invite friends and family to SharePlay via Messages, offering another way to enjoy synced content like movies or songs and shared playback controls. In addition, new collaboration features in Messages make working with others quick and seamless. When users choose to share files for collaboration through Messages, everyone in a thread will be automatically added, and when someone makes an edit to the shared document, activity updates appear at the top of the thread. Increase Productivity With New Tools in Mail
Now users can schedule delivery of an email ahead of time or cancel delivery of a message before it reaches a recipient’s inbox. Users can also set reminders to come back to a message at a later date with Remind me, receive automatic suggestions to follow up on an email if they haven’t received a response, and get automatic alerts when they’ve forgotten to include a recipient or attachment in an email. With the biggest update to search in years, Mail features state-of-the-art techniques to deliver more relevant, accurate, and complete search results. Visual Look Up and Live Text Enhancements Users can now tap and hold on the subject of an image to lift it from the background and place it in apps like Messages. Visual Look Up also expands to recognize birds, insects, spiders, and statues, helping users quickly get information about objects and scenes in photos. Using on-device intelligence, Live Text can now recognize text in videos across the system. Users can pause a video on any frame to interact with text and take quick action, such as copy and paste, translate, convert currency, and more. More Secure Browsing in Safari With Passkeys Browsing in Safari is even safer with passkeys, a next-generation credential that can’t be phished or leaked, making it more secure and easy to use. Designed to replace passwords, passkeys use Touch ID or Face ID for biometric verification, and iCloud Keychain to sync across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV with end-to-end encryption. Created as a joint effort in collaboration with the FIDO Alliance, Google, and Microsoft, passkeys will work across apps and the web, and users can sign in to websites or an app on non-Apple devices using just their iPhone. Safari also adds shared Tab Groups to share a collection of websites with friends and family, making it seamless to add tabs and see what others are viewing. New Accessibility Features to Navigate, Stay Connected, and More Accessibility updates include Door Detection, which helps users who are blind or low vision use their iPhone to navigate the last few feet to their destination; and Apple Watch Mirroring for users with physical and motor disabilities to mirror their Apple Watch display to iPhone, and control Apple Watch with Voice Control and Switch Control. Additionally, Live Captions make it easier for Deaf and hard of hearing users to follow along with any audio content — whether they are on a phone or FaceTime call, using a videoconference or social media app, streaming media content, or having a conversation with someone next to them. Additional Features
Availability
[Source: Apple Newsroom] Pictured Above: The new iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max comes in four (4) colors. Credit: Apple. Apple unveiled its new iPhone 14 lineup at a highly-anticipated press event today Wednesday (7th September 2022), along with three (3) new Apple Watch models, an update to its popular AirPods Pro and a feature that could save lives when cell service is not available. iPhone 14 Apple unveiled four (4) new smartphones, including the new iPhone 14 with a 6.1-inch screen and the iPhone 14 Plus with a larger 6.7-inch screen. The new iPhone 14 features a 12 MP main camera with bigger pixels, a faster aperture and improved sensors. It also uses the same pricessor as last year's iPhone 13 Pro model (the A15). For the first time, the new front camera has auto focus, allowing it to focus at multiple distances in low light for better individual and group selfies. It also has a new action mode that lets users keep videos stable while moving. Apple's new Pro line features an always-on display and the ability to receive notifications and activities through what the company is calling the “dynamic island,” which makes clever use of a new floating notch near the top of the screen. The Pro line also comes with the first-ever 48 MP camera on an iPhone. In a notable shift, the iPhone 14 lineup also eliminates the need for a physical SIM card and instead uses a digital ”e-SIM” card. Users can now store multiple e-SIMs on the same device and have multiple cellular plans and phone numbers on the same phone. It also prevents others from removing the physical SIM card if your iPhone is lost or stolen. Apple said all U.S. models of the iPhone will no longer have the SIM tray. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus will come in five (5) colors: midnight, starlight, blue, purple and red. The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus will start at US $799 and US $899, respectively, the same starting prices as last year's models. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max start at US $999 and US $1,099, respectively, also unchanged from the year prior. Analysts widely predicted Apple would hike the price of the premium models by US $100. Apple Watch Series 8, SE and Ultra Apple announced several new Apple Watch models, including a higher-end version that costs US $799 and is designed to support the needs of outdoor enthusiasts. It also added an option for its watches to detect when a user has been in a car crash, as well as a satellite connectivity feature for phones, which is intended to help people communicate when their cell service is not available or not working. Apple unveiled three (3) new smartwatches at the event: the Series 8, the SE and the Ultra. At the high end, the Ultra model is designed to help users track endurance training, scuba diving adventures and triathlons. The device gets about thirty-six (36) hours on a single charge, is more water resistant and boasts an enhanced compass that can work at night, in the ocean and other conditions. At the low end, Apple updated the SE to be up to 20% faster than the prior version. It starts at US $249 for GPS models and US $299 for cellular models. In the middle is the Series 8 model, which starts at US $399. Like prior versions of Apple's smartwatch, the Series 8 is intended to motivate users to stay active and fit. Apple also emphasized the Watch's features for women's health, with revamped period cycle tracking tools that can predict ovulation. The tracking data is kept on each device and only accessible through a passcode or face ID, according to the company. Apple does not have a key to encrypted data and so it cannot access it without your express permission. The announcement comes as data security for women has become a major flashpoint in the wake of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. AirPods Pro 2 Apple also showed off its latest generation of AirPods Pro, which will have six (6) hours of listening time with a single charge — better than the original version. Each headphone and the case itself are now equipped to make a sound to help you find it. A light swipe up and down on the short stems of each headphone will increase or decrease volume. AirPods Pro 2 now comes with improved dynamic noise-cancellation technology, and can cancel out double the amount of noise compared to the original version. Meanwhile, a new adaptive transparency mode aims to reduce harsh environmental noise. The AirPods Pro 2 cost US $249 and will be available in stores on Friday (9th September 2022). Noteworthy Apple unveiled a new Emergency SOS via Satellite feature, which the company said has been in the works for years. It was designed and built specifically for iPhone 14 devices to connect to satellites when not near a terrestrial tower. By allowing users to point their device toward a satellite, which the phone will help locate, users will be able to send and receive information to get emergency help. The company said it created a short text compression mechanism to condense messages that take about fifteen (15) seconds to send if a user has a clear view of the sky. (It may take a few minutes longer if something like foliage is in the way). Apple said local providers will be alerted to assist with calling for help. If you missed Apple’s event today, you can watch it below in its entirety. [Source: CNN]
The online Apple Store is down this morning (Wednesday 7th September 2022), ahead of the tech giant’s major hardware event today, dubbed ‘Far Out,’ which is expected to feature the iPhone 14, Apple Watch 8 and possibly AirPods Pro 2. The online Apple Store should be back up directly after the conclusion of the live-streamed Apple event.
We are expecting to see the company announce the new lineup of iPhone (iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max) and Apple Watch (Series 8, a new ‘Apple Watch Pro’ line and maybe updates to the cheaper SE). If you’re here to just watch the Apple Event live, you can do so below from 1:00 PM (AST/ET). Keep reading for everything we can expect to see today.
According to 9to5Mac, new features for the iPhone 14 will include upgrades to the camera system, with an upgraded autofocus-enabled selfie camera, and a new 48-megapixel rear sensor for the Pro models. Emergency text messaging transmitted over satellite connectivity is also rumored, to be used sparingly when you are stuck without cell reception.
The chassis and industrial design is not expected to change much. The iPhone 14 will look about the same as the iPhone 13. However, the iPhone 14 Pro will feature a new notch design; instead of the attached pull-tab appearance, there will now be hole-punch and pill shape cutouts. Many expect that these two (2) holes will appear as a single pill shape, with the OS filling in black pixels to cover the gap.
9to5Mac notes that there will be no 5.4-inch iPhone 14 mini — as Apple has seemingly decided to kill that size. Instead, Apple is bringing the largest iPhone screen size, 6.7-inches, outside of the Pro line for the first time. This means the base model iPhone lineup will be available in both 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch sizes. The new starting price of the 6.7-inch model should be around US $900, a much more accessible price to consumers. The rumor mill expects it to be named ‘iPhone 14 Plus’, and it will likely be a big seller when these phones go on sale in a couple of weeks.
The headline iPhone 14 Pro feature will be the addition of an always-on display. This means the iPhone screen will permanently stay lit in a low-power state, showing the time, notifications and iOS 16 lock screen widgets. This will bring the iPhone more in line with the Apple Watch experience, which has featured an always-on clock face since the Series 5. Speaking of watches, the Apple Watch Series 8 is also expected to be announced by Apple today. The new models are believed to add a body temperature sensor. However, most of the attention will be on the brand new ‘Apple Watch Pro,’ an even larger addition to the Apple Watch family sporting a 1.99-inch screen, new chassis design and likely tout several days of battery life. The Apple Watch Pro pricing is expected to be in the US $900 - US $1,000 range.
Outside of Apple Watch and iPhone, there’s a chance that Apple will showcase other new products — but this is where things are much more murky. New iPads, Macs, and a new version of the Apple TV set-top box are all possibilities, but Apple will most likely save these products for a second media event in October. AirPods Pro 2 are on the docket for today, according to the latest rumors, though.
[Source: 9to5Mac] Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has launched a hostile takeover bid of Twitter — promising to “unlock” its “extraordinary potential” as a private company. The potential deal could be worth upwards of US $43 Billion. It’s the latest twist in a stunning multi-week saga between Musk and Twitter. While he is a prolific Twitter user with more than 80 Million followers, Musk is also a frequent critic of the social media service. In a SEC filing dated Wednesday (13th April 2022), the Billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO proposed $54.20 a share for Twitter, calling it his “best and final offer. If it is not accepted, he added, “I would need to reconsider my position as a shareholder.” Musk recently disclosed he has acquired a 9.2% stake in Twitter, suddenly becoming its largest shareholder. Twitter then offered him a seat on their Board of Directors, however, Musk later declined the offer. In a letter addressed to Twitter Chairman Bret Taylor, Musk said the following: I invested in Twitter as I believe in its potential to be the platform for free speech around the globe, and I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy. Twitter’s share price closed near $46 per share on Wednesday but it was up 10% in pre-market trading on Thursday morning. If Musk decided to unload his shares, it could send the company’s stock price sharply lower.
This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates. [Source: The Washington Post] |
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